I caught the guy who hit my car. Sort it through insurance or court?

2 weeks ago i went out of my house to the car and found a big dent and scratch in the side. There was no note or anything to say who did it and they had obviously just hit my car and drove off. I had an idea who it was because this guy who always comes in his van stopped coming and the scratch looked that it could have been off a van. So i get the police to investigate who if it was this guy. During the 2 weeks since it happened until now this guy has turned up in everything except his van. Scooters, cars, and even a rented van. So im guessing this is while he is getting his van repaired and he wants to hide it aswell. The police track this guys parents from the number plate of one of the cars he came in. And his parents said that he left a note on my car. I think that is just his way of trying to get away with it without looking like he did a hit and run because this guy has had plenty of chances to come and tell me he hit my car.

So the police say i can get this sorted through the insurance or through court. I am thinking court because i want this guy to get in trouble. I wouldnt have found out that he hit my car if the police didnt get involved because he certainly wasnt going to tell me. Is insurance the easy way out for this guy. Will court make him get in trouble?

Court wont get him trouble. The court will order the driver to pay for your damage thats all. Just go through your insurance and let the insurance take care for you and that whats you pay for. Less headage for you taking too much time go to court and miss your time at work.

If you file suit against him, he will likely turn the matter over to his insurance company anyway. They are obligated to defend and indemnify pursuant to the terms of the policy(contract).

He will likely be canceled upon renewal.

If it were me, I'd opt for the court. He needs to learn a lesson, and a higher insurance rate doesn't seem to be an ample punishment.

Both. Let the court charge him with the Hit and Run. Let the insurance take care of the repairs on your car.

Going throught he court system can only help your insurance claim against him. He broke the law, tried to hide, what else might he try if you don't get the court involved. Take him to court

Yes, he will be charged with hit & run. He was obviously trying to screw you over. I would take his *** to court, don't give him any chances after what he put you through!

you should take it to court because you will get your money and he will pay for the crime but insurance will easier

If the police did not charge him with hit & run, taking him to court will not get him into trouble. Go through his Insurance 1st. If he admitted to them that he hit your vehicle, they will take care of your damages + a rental car. If you go to court, you have to present the exact amount of damages and if you win and additional damage is found on your vehicle or if the rental is more than you thought, you are out of luck as once the court decides on the damages, you cannot go back for more.

i would comfort him or parents telling them what are your plans for your car to get repaired. either they pay or tell them that your going to take them to court. also i would ask them for there insurance information. if you get that then make a claim. the main thing is getting your car fixed plus some extra for head ache. i would say informed your insurance because they can advise you what to do. you don't have to submit the claim if its not worth it.

do both. Have his insurance cover you and pressing charges is your social duty in this case. clearly he doesnt understand or accept his resposibility and lied by obmission to you and then to his parents. If he hasnt tried to settle with you after being tracked by police he needs to be prosecuted. he had his chance, and you were mr nice guy. now cover your *** and get your car fixed.

very much in trouble hit and run is a felony in California i don't know the state you are in but it should be the same everywhere. id get him for all the time and money (if any) u have spent trying to find this out and getting your car repaired that will teach him a lessen and his parents a lessen to. that they shouldn't cover up for thing that the kid does cuz it can bit them in the ***!

Yes, and his insurance carrier may decide to drop him for his irresponsibility. He may face jail time as well.
If you have proof absolulte it was him, take it to court and nail his **** to the wall. Justice is a level edged sword that no one should escape.